Four Chinese tourists arrested for 'tricking Thai pensioner into curse-removal ritual before stealing her gold'

Four Chinese tourists were arrested for allegedly tricking a superstitious Thai pensioner into taking part in a bizarre 'curse-removal' ritual before stealing her gold and cash.

Naruemon Siangjeng, 66, was shopping at the Thunglung Market in Songkhla, southern Thailand, when she was approached by the holidaymakers on September 7.

The Chinese gang, identified as Ding Jinping, Lin Xueqing, Li Jintai and Yang Tulian, were said to have pulled her aside and warned her that bad luck was coming to her son.

To ward off the looming disaster, Naruemon was allegedly told to provide gold, cash, and rice for a 'curse-cleansing' ceremony.

The terrified Thai mother collected her belongings from home before bringing them back to the suspects in a black bag.

Among the items were a gold necklace, ring, earrings, and pendant, 10,000 baht in cash, and a handful of raw rice.

She was then bundled into a car, where the group started chanting prayers.

Afterwards, they handed the bag back to her and allowed her to leave, giving her the impression that the ritual had been completed.

But when Naruemon returned home and checked the bag, she discovered that her gold, cash and rice, worth 194,000 baht, had disappeared. She realised she had been conned and reported the incident to the Thung Lung Police Station.

Police then examined CCTV to trace the suspects' movements, later identifying them as the Chinese tourists.

All four suspects were arrested on September 9, with cops also seizing evidence believed to be connected to the alleged scam. They face charges of jointly committing fraud.

Police Colonel Chansarawut Saengarun, superintendent of Thunglung Police Station, said: ‘The inquiry officer is interrogating the suspects and gathering evidence.

‘We will report the case, which involves foreigners who committed offences and are being prosecuted, to the relevant agencies for further action.'